Why V2?
My first virtual pinball cabinet was a revelation — but after a year of daily play, I've identified everything I want to improve. V2 is the dream build: wider playfield, more powerful PC, better feedback, and premium materials throughout.
Upgrades Over V1
| Feature | V1 | V2 (Planned) |
|---|---|---|
| Playfield | 43" 4K | 49" 4K |
| Backglass | 27" 1080p | 32" 1440p |
| PC | Ryzen 7 / RTX 4060 | Ryzen 9 / RTX 4070 |
| Solenoids | 6 | 10 |
| Shakers | 2 gear motors | 2 bass shakers |
| Plunger | Spring-return potentiometer | Analog force-sensing plunger |
| Cabinet | MDF | Baltic birch plywood |
The Wider Playfield
Going from 43" to 49" doesn't sound like much on paper, but in a vertical orientation it dramatically increases the playfield width. Tables like Medieval Madness and Twilight Zone that have complex layouts with lots of ramps and targets really benefit from the extra real estate.
Force Feedback Overhaul
The V1 solenoids were great, but V2 goes all-in:
Timeline
This is a long-term project. I'm budgeting parts over the next few months and plan to start the cabinet build in summer. The goal is to have it playable by fall. I'll document the entire process in a blog series.
Philosophy
The first cab taught me what matters most in virtual pinball: feel. The visuals are important, but it's the physical feedback that makes you forget you're not playing a real machine. V2 is designed around that principle from the ground up.